Tactile feedback in an electronic device

ABSTRACT

An electronic device for providing tactile feedback is provided. The electronic device may provide tactile feedback using any suitable approach, including for example vibration, heat, electrical, visual, or any other type of feedback. The electronic device may provide tactile feedback in response to detecting any particular status of the electronic device, receiving any particular input, or detecting any suitable communication received by the electronic device. For example, the electronic device may provide tactile feedback in response to identifying the current network of the device, the status of a particular electronic device component, or any other electronic device status. As another example, the electronic device may provide tactile feedback in response to receiving a particular type of communication, or in response to receiving a communication from a particular contact. As still another example, the electronic device may provide tactile feedback in response to receiving a particular user input, or to detecting a user&#39;s finger on a particular portion of the electronic device.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/784,898, filed Mar. 5, 2013, which is a continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 12/139,018, filed Jun. 13, 2008 (now U.S. Pat. No.8,138,896), which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 61/009,625, filed Dec. 31, 2007, each of which isincorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

This invention is directed to providing tactile feedback to a user of anelectronic device.

Portable electronic devices have shrunk while providing ever morefunctionality. Because the devices are smaller, users can more easilycarry them, and use them in a variety of situations where larger, lessportable electronic devices could be more difficult to use. An effect ofthe decrease in size of electronic devices has been a decrease in thesize of input mechanisms for providing instructions to the electronicdevice, and a decrease in the size of displays or screens used tonavigate the electronic devices and to access the electronic devicefunctions.

For some users, including for example users with poor vision, or usersin dark environments (e.g., at night with little or no electronic devicebacklight), the reduction in size of the input mechanism and displayinconveniences the users and may prevent the users from properly usingthe electronic device, thus leading to frustration. To remedy theselimitations, electronic device manufacturers have spent much effort increating electronic device interfaces with an emphasis on ease of useand intuitiveness.

Some electronic devices provide tactile feedback to users in limitedcircumstances. For example, some electronic devices vibrate when atelephone call or text message is received. As another example, someelectronic devices may vibrate in response to receiving a user selectionof a vibration instruction (e.g., a vibrate button).

SUMMARY

An electronic device for providing tactile feedback to a user inresponse to detecting a particular state of the device, or in responseto detecting a particular user input is provided. Using tactilefeedback, the electronic device may supplement one or more menus,selectable options, or other user interface features to facilitate theuse of the electronic device.

The electronic device may be operative to provide any suitable tactilefeedback. For example, the electronic device may provide vibrationfeedback. The electronic device may vibrate using any suitable approach.For example, one or more vibrating components integrated in theelectronic device may vibrate at particular times. The vibratingcomponents may be operative to cause the entire electronic device tovibrate, or only portions of the electronic device (e.g., the portion ofthe screen under the user's finger) to vibrate. As another example, theelectronic device may provide temperature or heat-based tactile feedback(e.g., change the temperature of one or more portions of the electronicdevice), electrical tactile feedback (e.g., small, localized or generalelectrical discharges). In some embodiments, the electronic device maysimultaneously provide different types of tactile feedback, visualfeedback, audio feedback, olfactory feedback, or any other suitablecombination of feedback.

The electronic device may provide tactile feedback at any suitable time.In some embodiments, the electronic device may provide tactile feedbackbased on communications operations available to the device. For example,the electronic device may provide tactile feedback in response todetecting a particular type of communications network, or receiving aparticular communication (e.g., a particular type of communication, or acommunication from a particular source). As another example, theelectronic device may provide tactile feedback in response todetermining the current status of an ongoing communications operation(e.g., the duration of the communications operation, or the amount ofdata received or sent). As still another example, the electronic devicemay provide tactile feedback in response to determining the currentamount of communications credit remaining in a user's account.

In some embodiments, the electronic device may provide tactile feedbackin response to detecting the user's hands on the electronic device. Forexample, the electronic device may provide tactile feedback in responseto detecting a user's finger over a particular displayed option (e.g., akey of a keyboard or keypad, or a particular selectable option of anapplication). As another example, the electronic device may providetactile feedback to guide the user in entering text on the electronicdevice (e.g., provide tactile feedback to identify the position of adisplayed line, word, character or cursor). As still another example,the electronic device may provide tactile feedback to assist the user innavigating displayed menu options.

In some embodiments, the electronic device may be operative to providetactile feedback based on the status of the electronic device. Forexample, the electronic device may provide tactile feedback in responseto determining the amount of memory available, the battery life, theprocessor or bus speed, or any other resource of the electronic device.As another example, the electronic device may provide tactile feedbackbased on the location of the user (e.g., provide tactile feedback toguide a user along a path, or to a particular destination). As stillanother example, the electronic device may provide tactile feedback inresponse to detecting the environment in which the device is found(e.g., based on a proximity sensor or an accelerometer).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other features of the present invention, its nature andvarious advantages will be more apparent upon consideration of thefollowing detailed description, taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, in which like reference characters refer to likeparts throughout, and in which:

FIGS. 1 and 2 are simplified diagrams of computer systems in accordancewith one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates a simplified schematic diagram of an illustrativeelectronic device or devices in accordance with one embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of an illustrative display for receiving anincoming telephone call in accordance with one embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of illustrative displays for associating aparticular tactile feedback with a received communication in accordancewith one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6 is a schematic view of a display for selecting a particulartactile response in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 7 is a schematic view of a display screen for defining a contact'ssettings in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of an illustrative process for providing tactilefeedback in response to detecting a particular state of the electronicdevice in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 9A and 9B are illustrative display screens for providing inputs toan electronic device in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 10 is a schematic view of an illustrative display screen of a pagein accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 11 is a schematic view of illustrative display 1000 of FIG. 10 whenthe display is scrolled in accordance with one embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 12 is a schematic view of illustrative display 1000 of FIG. 10 whenthe display is zoomed in accordance with one embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 13 is a schematic view of an illustrative display screen of amapping application in accordance with one embodiment;

FIG. 14 is a schematic view of an illustrative display screen of amapping application as a user follows a determined path in accordancewith one embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 15 is a flowchart of an illustrative process for providing tactilefeedback in response to receiving a user input in accordance with oneembodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 is a simplified diagram of computer system 100, which can beoperated in accordance with the principles of the present invention. Insome embodiments, computer system 100 may include electronic device 102and accessory device 104. Electronic device 102 may include displaycomponent 106 and user input component 108.

Display component 106 is illustrated in FIG. 1 as a display screen thatis integrated into electronic device 102. In some embodiments, displaycomponent 106 may instead be external to electronic device 102. Forexample, display component 106 may be a computer monitor, televisionscreen, and/or any other graphical user interface, textual userinterface, or combination thereof. Using display component 106,electronic device 102 may display the video portion of video content,one or more images, a user interface for controlling electronic device102, combinations thereof, or any other suitable display.

User input component 108 is illustrated in FIG. 1 as a click wheel. Oneskilled in the art will appreciate that user input component 108 couldbe any type of user input device that is integrated into or locatedexternal to electronic device 102. For example, user input component 108could also include a mouse, keyboard, trackball, slider bar, one or morebuttons, electronic device pad, dial, or any combination thereof. Userinput component 108 may also include a multi-touch screen such as thatshown in FIG. 2 and described in commonly owned Westerman et al., U.S.Pat. No. 6,323,846, issued Nov. 27, 2001, entitled “Method and Apparatusfor Integrating Manual Input,” which is incorporated by reference hereinin its entirety. User input component 108 may emulate a rotary phone ora multi-button electronic device pad, which may be implemented on atouch screen or the combination of a click wheel or other user inputdevice and a screen. A more detailed discussion of such a rotary phoneinterface may be found, for example, in commonly owned McKillop et al.,U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/591,752, filed Nov. 1, 2006,entitled “Touch Pad with Symbols based on Mode,” which is incorporatedby reference herein in its entirety.

Accessory device 104 can include microphones 110, input buttons 112 andeject button 114. Microphones 110 may be operative to receive audiosignals. Circuitry (not shown), which can be included in electronicdevice 102, accessory device 104, or both can convert the audio signalsinto one or more audio data files. Buttons 112 can be used to interactwith (e.g., edit, save, export, delete, etc.) the audio data files.Eject button 114 can be used to decouple accessory device 104 fromelectronic device 102.

Accessory device 104 is shown in FIG. 1 as being physically andelectrically coupled to electronic device 102 via a connector component(not shown). In other embodiments, accessory device 104 can bewirelessly coupled to electronic device 102. When accessory device 104is coupled to electronic device 102, either or both devices may haveenhanced functionality. This enhanced functionality may automaticallyoccur in response to the devices being coupled together or in responseto a user input. For example, accessory device 104 may not have its ownpower supply or display screen and only function when it is coupled toelectronic device 102. Similarly, electronic device 102 may not have itsown microphone(s) or only have a lower fidelity microphone, but whenelectronic device 102 is coupled to accessory device 104, the circuitryin electronic device 102 can make high fidelity recordings. As anotherexample, specialized circuitry or applications (e.g., for recording andconverting audio signals) may only be included in accessory device 104and not in electronic device 102. Accessory device 104 may also have,for example, limited storage capacity and may need to utilize thestorage component(s) of electronic device 102 to store audio data files.

FIG. 2 shows computer system 200 which can also be used in accordancewith the present invention. Computer system 200 includes electronicdevice 202, which can include, for example, a portable media player,cellular telephone, personal organizer, hybrid of such devices, or anyother electronic device. Electronic device 202 may include userinterface component 204. User interface component 204 is shown in FIG. 2as a multi-touch screen that can function as both an integrated displayscreen and user input device. Electronic device 202 can also include oneor more other user interface components, such as button 206, which canbe used to supplement user interface component 204.

Electronic device 202 may include any suitable input and outputcomponents. For example, electronic device 202 may include microphone208 and audio output 210. Microphone 208 may include some or all of thefeatures of microphones 110 discussed above. As such, the audiorecording functionality, circuitry and components of accessory device104 of FIG. 1 can be integrated into electronic device 202. Audio output210 is shown as being a speaker integrated into electronic device 202,but one skilled in the art would appreciate that audio output 210 mayalso include an external device (such as headphones) or connector usedto facilitate the playing back of audio content and/or the audio portionof video content.

FIG. 3 illustrates a simplified schematic diagram of an illustrativeelectronic device or devices in accordance with one embodiment of thepresent invention. Electronic device 300 can be implemented in or as anytype of electronic device or devices, such as, for example, electronicdevices 102 and 202 discussed above.

Electronic device 300 may include processor 302, storage 304, memory306, communications circuitry 308, input/output circuitry 310, displaycircuitry 312, power supply circuitry 314, tactile feedback component320, or any other suitable component. In some embodiments, electronicdevice 300 can include more than one of each component or circuitry, butfor sake of simplicity, only one of each is shown in FIG. 3. Inaddition, one skilled in the art would appreciate that the functionalityof certain components and circuitry can be combined or omitted and thatadditional components and circuitry, which are not shown in FIGS. 1-3,can be included in electronic devices 102, 202 and 300, and in accessorydevice 104.

Processor 302 may include any processing circuitry operative to controlthe operations and performance of electronic device 300. For example,processor 302 may be used to run operating system applications, firmwareapplications, media playback applications, media editing applications,and/or any other application. In some embodiments, a processor may drivethe display and process inputs received from the user interface.

Storage 304 can be, for example, one or more storage mediums, includinga hard-drive, flash memory, permanent memory such as ROM, any othersuitable type of storage component, or any combination thereof. Storage304 may store, for example, media data (e.g., music and video files),application data (e.g., for implementing functions on device 200),firmware, user preference information data (e.g., media playbackpreferences), lifestyle information data (e.g., food preferences),exercise information data (e.g., information obtained by exercisemonitoring equipment), transaction information data (e.g., informationsuch as credit card information), wireless connection information data(e.g., information that may enable electronic device 300 to establish awireless connection), subscription information data (e.g., informationthat keeps track of podcasts or television shows or other media a usersubscribes to), contact information data (e.g., telephone numbers andemail addresses), calendar information data, and any other suitable dataor any combination thereof.

Memory 306 can include cache memory, semi-permanent memory such as RAM,and/or one or more different types of memory used for temporarilystoring data. In some embodiments, memory 306 can also be used forstoring data used to operate electronic device applications, or anyother type of data that may be stored in storage 304. In someembodiments, memory 306 and storage 304 may be combined as a singlestorage medium.

Communications circuitry 308 can permit device 300 to communicate withone or more servers or other devices using any suitable communicationsprotocol. For example, communications circuitry 308 may support Wi Fi(e.g., a 802.11 protocol), Ethernet, Bluetooth™ (which is a trademarkowned by Bluetooth Sig, Inc.), high frequency systems (e.g., 900 MHz,2.4 GHz, and 5.6 GHz communication systems), infrared, TCP/IP (e.g., anyof the protocols used in each of the TCP/IP layers), HTTP, BitTorrent,FTP, RTP, RTSP, SSH, any other communications protocol, or anycombination thereof.

Communications circuitry 308 may include any suitable communicationscircuitry operative to connect to a communications network and totransmit communications (e.g., voice or data) from electronic device 300to other devices within the communications network (e.g., otherelectronic devices or servers). Communications circuitry 308 may beoperative to interface with the communications network using anysuitable communications protocol such as, for example, Wi-Fi (e.g., a802.11 protocol), Bluetooth (registered trademark), high frequencysystems (e.g., 900 MHz, 2.4 GHz, and 5.6 GHz communication systems),infrared, GSM, GSM plus EDGE, CDMA, quadband, and other cellularprotocols, VoIP, or any other suitable protocol (e.g., TCP/IP, HTTP,BitTorrent, FTP, RTP, RTSP, SSH, or Telnet).

In some embodiments, communications circuitry 308 may be operative tocreate a communications network using any suitable communicationsprotocol. For example, communications circuitry 308 may create ashort-range communications network using a short-range communicationsprotocol to connect to other devices. For example, communicationscircuitry 308 may be operative to create a local communications networkusing the Bluetooth® protocol to couple electronic device 300 with aBluetooth® headset.

Electronic device 300 may include one more instances of communicationscircuitry 308 for simultaneously performing several communicationsoperations using different communications networks, although only one isshown in FIG. 3 to avoid overcomplicating the drawing. For example,electronic device 300 may include a first instance of communicationscircuitry 308 for communicating over a cellular network, and a secondinstance of communications circuitry 308 for communicating over Wi-Fi orusing Bluetooth. In some embodiments, the same instance ofcommunications circuitry 308 may be operative to provide forcommunications over several communications networks.

Input/output circuitry 310 may be operative to convert (andencode/decode, if necessary) analog signals and other signals intodigital data. In some embodiments, input/output circuitry can alsoconvert digital data into any other type of signal, and vice-versa. Forexample, input/output circuitry 310 may receive and convert physicalcontact inputs (e.g., from a multi-touch screen), physical movements(e.g., from a mouse), analog audio signals (e.g., from a microphone), orany other input. The digital data can be provided to and received fromprocessor 302, storage 304, memory 306, or any other component ofelectronic device 300. Although input/output circuitry 310 isillustrated in FIG. 3 as a single component of electronic device 300, aplurality of input/output circuitry can be included in electronic device300.

Electronic device 300 may include any suitable mechanism or componentfor allowing a user to provide inputs to input/output circuitry 310. Forexample, electronic device 300 may include any suitable input mechanism,such as for example, a button, keypad, dial, a click wheel, or a touchscreen. In some embodiments, electronic device 300 may include acapacitive sensing mechanism, or a multi-touch capacitive sensingmechanism. Some sensing mechanisms are described in commonly owned U.S.patent application Ser. No. 10/903,964, filed Jul. 30, 2004, entitled“Gestures for Touch Sensitive Input Device,” and U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 11/038,590, filed Jan. 18, 2005, entitled “Mode-Based GraphicalUser Interfaces for Touch Sensitive Input Device,” both of which areincorporated herein in their entirety. The capacitive sensing mechanismmay use any suitable approach for detecting an input, including forexample centroid detection. The implementation of a mechanism usingcentroid detection is described in commonly owned U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 11/619,464, filed Jan. 3, 2007, entitled“Multi-Touch Input Discrimination,” which is incorporated by referenceherein in its entirety. The input mechanism may include any of thefeatures of the input mechanisms described above in connection withelectronic devices 102 (FIG. 1) and 202 (FIG. 2).

In some embodiments, electronic device 300 can include specializedoutput circuitry associated with output devices such as, for example,one or more audio outputs. The audio output may include one or morespeakers (e.g., mono or stereo speakers) built into electronic device300, or an audio component that is remotely coupled to electronic device300 (e.g., a headset, headphones or earbuds that may be coupled tocommunications device with a wire or wirelessly).

Display circuitry 312 may include any suitable screen or projectionsystem for providing a display visible to the user. For example, displaycircuitry 312 may include a screen (e.g., an LCD screen) that isincorporated in electronics device 300. As another example, displaycircuitry 312 may include a movable display or a projecting system forproviding a display of content on a surface remote from electronicdevice 300 (e.g., a video projector). In some embodiments, displaycircuitry 312 can include a coder/decoder (CODEC) to convert digitalmedia data into analog signals. Display circuitry 312 also can includedisplay driver circuitry, circuitry for driving display drivers, orboth. Display circuitry 312 may be operative to display content (e.g.,media playback information, application screens for applicationsimplemented on the electronic device, information regarding ongoingcommunications operations, information regarding incoming communicationsrequests, or device operation screens) under the direction of processor302.

Power supply 314 can provide power to the components of device 300. Insome embodiments, power supply 314 can be coupled to a power grid (e.g.,a wall outlet or automobile cigarette lighter). In some embodiments,power supply 314 can include one or more batteries for providing powerto a portable electronic device. As another example, power supply 314can be configured to generate power in a portable electronic device froma natural source (e.g., solar power using solar cells).

Bus 316 may be operative to provide a data transfer path fortransferring data to, from, or between control processor 302, storage304, memory 306, communications circuitry 308, and any other componentincluded in the electronic device.

In some embodiments, electronic device 300 may include tactile feedbackcomponent 320. Tactile feedback component 320 may include any suitablecomponent for providing a tactile or haptic feedback to the user ofelectronic device 300. In some embodiments, electronic device 300 mayenable, disable, or modify tactile feedback based on the state or modeof the electronic device, the particular user (e.g., low amplitudevibrations for a frail user, and high amplitude vibrations for avisually impaired user), or any other suitable criteria. The tactilefeedback provided may be localized (e.g., specific to the location of auser's finger or hand on electronic device 300) or general (e.g., theentire device provides tactile feedback). In some embodiments,electronic device 300 may include several tactile feedback components320 distributed throughout the device, wherein one or more of tactilefeedback components 320 are operative to provide tactile feedback at aparticular time.

Tactile feedback component 320 may use any suitable approach forproviding tactile feedback. For example, tactile feedback component 320may vibrate to provide tactile feedback. Any suitable componentoperative to vibrate may be used. For example, tactile feedbackcomponent 320 may include one or more of an unbalanced rotating mass(e.g. that resonates upon rotation), a linear vibrator, an oscillator,an undulating coil wire, a piezo-electric grid, or any other suitablevibrating component. The vibration provided may be any suitable type ofvibration. For example, tactile feedback component 320 may be operativeto provide a sine sweep vibration, a random vibration, a synthesizedshock, or any other suitable type of vibration. Tactile feedbackcomponent 320 may define any suitable parameter or characteristic for avibration. For example, tactile feedback component 320 may define theone or more frequencies, the change in frequency, the amplitude (orintensity), the change in amplitude, the duration, the delay betweenvibrations, the period of the vibration (e.g. the duration of avibration and pause before the vibration repeats) or any other suitablecharacteristic of the vibration. In some embodiments, tactile feedbackcomponent 320 may provide vibrations with different characteristicsbased on the mode or state of electronic device 300. In someembodiments, tactile feedback component 320 may include some or all ofthe features of the vibrating tactile feedback component described incommonly assigned U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2009/0167704,published Jul. 2, 2009, which is incorporated herein in its entirety.For example, the tactile feedback may include a localized vibrationunder or adjacent a user's finger, or a general vibration of theelectronic device.

As another example, tactile feedback component 320 may change thetemperature of electronic device 300 to provide tactile or hapticfeedback. Tactile feedback component 320 may include any suitablecomponent operative to change temperatures to provide the tactilefeedback. For example, tactile feedback component 320 may include aresistor, a thermistor, a radiator, a cooling system, or any othercomponent for changing the temperature of some or all of the electronicdevice. Tactile feedback component 320 may be operative to set anysuitable characteristic of the change in temperature, including forexample the final temperature, the rate of change in temperature, theheat generated or removed, or any other suitable characteristic of thechange in temperature. In some embodiments, tactile feedback component320 may include one or more insulators to prevent the change intemperature from affecting other components of electronic device 300.

As still another example, tactile feedback component 320 may change theelectrical charge received by the user holding electronic device 300 toprovide tactile or haptic feedback. Tactile feedback component 320 mayinclude any suitable component for providing an electrical charge to theuser. For example, tactile feedback component 320 may include a circuitthat is closed by the user's hand (e.g., closed inside electronic device300) to provide tactile feedback. Tactile feedback component 320 may beoperative to set any suitable characteristic of the electrical chargereceived by the user, including for example the intensity, change inintensity, frequency, change in frequency, or any other suitablecharacteristic of the received electrical charge.

Although the following discussion will describe tactile feedback interms of vibrations, it will be understood that any other suitable typeof tactile feedback may be used, including for example those describedabove or combinations of those described above (e.g., vibration withelectrical feedback). In addition, it will be understood that visualfeedback (e.g., changing the illumination or colors of the display ofelectronic device 300), audio feedback, olfactory feedback, or any othersuitable type of feedback may be used instead of or in addition totactile feedback.

FIGS. 4-7 and 9-14 are depictions of representative interactive userinterface displays according to embodiments of the invention. Morespecifically, a processor (and/or other circuitry) can be configured topresent the interactive user interface displays of FIGS. 4-7 and 9-14 ona display screen or other user interface component. It is important tonote that the displays shown in FIGS. 4-7 and 9-14 are unique in thatthey are optimized to provide advanced interactive functionality,despite the limitations of relatively simple user input devices, such asa click wheel or six button remote control or other limited interface.Designing interactive displays that are used in conjunction with thesetypes of simple user input devices is generally a more complicatedprocess than designing displays that are used with other user inputdevices (such as a mouse, keyboard, cellular telephone keypad, standardremote control that has more than 6 buttons, etc.). Simple user inputdevices, though easy for users to use, limit how a user can navigatewithin a display and among multiple displays.

In some embodiment, the electronic device may provide tactile feedbackto the user based on communications or data received by the device. Forexample, the electronic device may provide tactile feedback in responseto receiving an email, telephone call, voicemail, text message, mediamessage, chat request, fax, or any other type of data or voicecommunication. FIG. 4 is a schematic view of an illustrative display forreceiving an incoming telephone call in accordance with one embodimentof the invention. The electronic device may provide display 400 to theuser in response to receiving a telephone call from another device.Display 400 may include contact information 410, image 420, and options430 and 432 for responding to the telephone call. The electronic devicemay display any suitable contact information 410. For example, contactinformation 410 may include a contact name and type of device from whichthe communication is received (e.g., if the received call is from aknown contact, for example stored in the user's contacts). As anotherexample, contact information 410 may include a number, address, or otherinformation that the electronic device may use to identify the devicefrom which the call was received.

Display 400 may include image 420 associated with the contact from whichthe communication was received. For example, image 420 may include aphotograph of the contact, an image associated with the contact, or anyother suitable image. The image may be retrieved from any suitablelocation, including for example a v-card or other contact informationassociated with the contact. In some embodiments, the electronic devicemay retrieve an image tagged for the contact (e.g., an image taken bythe electronic device, an image downloaded over the Internet, or animage loaded from a host device). If no image is associated with theparticular contact, the electronic device may instead display an icon ortext (e.g., indicating that no image is available).

Display 400 may include any suitable selectable options for respondingto the incoming telephone call. For example, display 400 may includeanswer option 430 and decline option 432. In response to receiving auser selection of answer option 430, the electronic device may connectthe telephone call and initiate the telephone communication. In responseto receiving a user selection of decline option 432, the electronicdevice may direct the communications request to a messaging system.

In response to receiving the telephone call or other communicationsrequest, the electronic device may provide an indication to the user.For example, the electronic device may provide an audio output (e.g., atelephone ring). As another example, the electronic device may changethe display of the electronic device (e.g., provide display 400, orchange the illumination or color of the display). As still anotherexample, the electronic device may provide tactile feedback. Forexample, the electronic device may direct a tactile feedback component(e.g., tactile feedback component 320) to provide a tactile response(e.g., to vibrate).

The electronic device may be operative to notify the user of certainevents when the user accepts an incoming communications request andperforms a communications operation (e.g., accepts the telephone call).In some embodiments, the electronic device may provide tactile feedbackat particular intervals of the communications operations. For example,the electronic device may provide tactile feedback to indicate theprogress of a file download or upload (e.g., vibrate when complete), orwhen the user accesses a particular type of data (e.g., accesses orleaves a secure website). As another example, the electronic device mayvibrate every 5 minutes to indicate to the user how long thecommunications operation has lasted. The electronic device may usedifferent tactile feedback to indicate different durations (e.g., onefeedback every 5 minutes, another every 15 minutes, and still anotherevery 30 minutes).

In some embodiments, the tactile feedback may become more pronounced asthe communications operation lasts to emphasize the duration for theuser. This may be useful, for example, when the user has limited timeleft on his communications plan (e.g., on a cellular telephone plan).The electronic device may be operative to reduce or eliminate thetactile feedback if the communications operation is free (e.g., datacommunication over WiFi instead of a cellular network, or a telephonecall during free nights and weekends).

In some embodiments, the electronic device may provide tactile feedbackbased on the amount of communications credit (e.g., time) remaining onthe user's account. For example, the electronic device may providetactile feedback when the user has used 2 hours, 3 hours, 4 hours, orhas 1 hour remaining, 30 minutes remaining, or 5 minutes remaining. Asanother example, the electronic device may provide tactile feedback whenthe user's additional communications credit exceeds the user's allottedamount (e.g., based on a cellular telephone plan).

In some embodiments, the electronic device may provide tactile feedbackbased on the communications network being used. For example, theelectronic device may provide tactile feedback as the device moves to orfrom a WiFi or cellular network. As another example, the electronicdevice may provide tactile feedback as the device, while remaining onthe cellular network, moves to or from a roaming mode. As still anotherexample, the electronic device may provide tactile feedback based on thesource of the communications network used (e.g., private or publicWiFi).

In some embodiments, the electronic device may provide different tactilefeedback based on any suitable aspect of a received communication. Forexample, the electronic device may provide different tactile feedbackbased on the type of communication received. For example, the electronicdevice may provide a first tactile feedback for received telephonecalls, and a second tactile feedback for received emails. In someembodiments, the electronic device may group several types of receivedcommunications for a particular tactile feedback based on a particularcharacteristic of the communications (e.g., data or voicecommunications). The electronic device may associate different types oftactile feedback with different types of communication using anysuitable approach. In some embodiments, the electronic device mayautomatically assign a particular tactile feedback to a type ofcommunication. As another example, the user may select a particulartactile feedback for a type of communication. FIG. 5 is a schematic viewof illustrative displays for associating a particular tactile feedbackwith a received communication in accordance with one embodiment of theinvention.

Display 500 may include settings that the user may set for theelectronic device. For example, display 500 may include selectableoptions 510 associated with different settings that the user may modify.For example, display 500 may include options 510 for WiFi, Edge, orother communications network settings. As another example, display 500may include options for general, mail and other application settingsaccessible to the user of the electronic device. As still anotherexample, display 500 may include options for user interaction andfeedback settings. Display 500 may indicate that further options fordefining the settings associated with an option 510 are available bydisplaying arrow 512.

In response to receiving a selection of an option 510, the electronicdevice may display several options for different selectable tactileresponse. FIG. 6 is a schematic view of a display for selecting aparticular tactile response in accordance with one embodiment of theinvention. Display 600 may include several options of tactile responses.In some embodiments, the different tactile responses may be groupedbased on a particular characteristic (e.g., the type of tactileresponse). For example, display 600 may include heat tactile feedbackoptions 610 and vibration tactile feedback options 620. In someembodiments, the user may scroll display 600 to view additional options610 and 620 for types of tactile feedback.

Display 600 may indicate that the user selected a particular tactilefeedback option using marker 620. Marker 620 may include any suitabletype of marker, including for example a check-mark, an icon, an image,or any other suitable object that can be displayed on an option 610 or620. In some embodiments, display 600 may indicate that a particularoption has been selected by changing the appearance of the selectedoption (e.g., changing the border, the background color, the text color,the text font or size, or any other attribute of the displayed option).

Once the user has selected a particular tactile feedback option, orafter determining that the currently selected tactile feedback option iscorrect, the user may return to the previous screen displayed (e.g.,display 500) by selecting back option 630. In some embodiments, the usermay instead or in addition to providing an input using an inputmechanism external to display 600 (e.g., press a home button) to exitdisplay 600.

In some embodiments, the electronic device may provide the user with anoption for defining a particular tactile feedback. For example, theelectronic device may display one or more options for definingparticular characteristics of tactile feedback. In some embodiments, theelectronic device may include one or more options for defining thefrequency or amplitude of a vibration, the change in frequency oramplitude of a vibration, the particular motion detection componentproviding the vibration (e.g., if the electronic device includes severalmotion detection components), or any other suitable attribute of avibration feedback. The electronic device may provide any suitableinterface for defining the attributes of the tactile feedback, includingone or more fields for entering values (e.g., numerical values), scrollbars with sliders defining a value, listings of selectable values oroptions, options for toggling particular attributes (e.g., variablefrequency), or any other suitable interface or option for defining aparticular tactile feedback.

In some embodiments, the electronic device may display a tactilefeedback option (e.g., an option 510, FIG. 5) for one or more particulartypes of communications operations. For example, in response toreceiving a user selection of a mail option (e.g., an option 510 of FIG.5), the electronic device may display an intermediate screen allowingthe user to define different settings for a mail application, where oneof the settings is a tactile feedback setting. In response to aselection of the tactile feedback option, the electronic device mayprovide a display such as display 600 (FIG. 6) for receiving a userselection of a particular tactile feedback option for the mailapplication. In some embodiments, the user may define different tactilefeedback settings for different aspects of each communicationsapplication (e.g., a different tactile feedback setting for new mailreceived by different email accounts).

In some embodiments, the electronic device may provide different tactilefeedback based on the user from which a communication is received. Forexample, the electronic device may automatically assign differenttactile feedback settings to different users or group of users (e.g.,favorite contacts, other contacts, and unknown users are all associatedwith different tactile feedback). As another example, the user maydefine a particular tactile feedback setting for particular users orcontacts. FIG. 7 is a schematic view of a display screen for defining acontact's settings in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.Display 700 may include contact name 710 and image 712. Display 700 mayinclude options for the user to provide any suitable information foridentifying the user and for contacting the user, as well options fordefining settings to control electronic device operations when acommunication from the user is received. For example, display 700 mayinclude telephone options 720 and email options 730. Display 700 mayindicate that the user may set particular options 720 and 730 bydisplaying an indicator 714 (e.g., an arrow) in each option. Telephoneoptions 720 may include telephone number options 721 and 722, andnotification options 724 and 725. In response to receiving a userselection of tactile feedback notification option 725, the electronicdevice may display a tactile feedback option display (e.g., display 600,FIG. 6) from which the user may select a particular tactile feedback toassociate with received communications from the telephone numberassociated with the contact identified by contact name 710 (e.g., andstore in the electronic device).

Mail options 730 may include email address options 731 and 732, andnotification option 734. In response to receiving a user selection oftactile feedback notification option 734, the electronic device maysimilarly display a tactile feedback option display (e.g., display 600,FIG. 6) from which the user may select a particular tactile feedback.Once the user has set the desired options for the contact, the user mayselect done option 740 to exit display 700.

In some embodiments, the electronic device may provide tactile feedbackto the user based on the current status of the device. For example, theelectronic device may provide tactile feedback to indicate the state ofthe battery. The electronic device may provide tactile feedback when thebattery reaches a particular level (e.g., 20% or 10%), and subsequentlyprovide different tactile feedback as the battery level decreases orincreases. As another example, the electronic device may provide tactilefeedback when electronic device resources (e.g., processor power, freememory, or available bus size) reach particular levels. As still anotherexample, the electronic device may provide tactile feedback in responseto detecting a particular output from a proximity sensor, motiondetection component (e.g., an accelerometer), or other sensor detectingthe status or environment in which the electronic device is found. Theelectronic device may provide tactile feedback in response to anysuitable determination of the status of the electronic device (e.g.,provide tactile feedback when an environmental sensor detects that theelectronic device is being used in the dark, or in response to theaccelerometer detecting that the user is fumbling with the device).

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of an illustrative process for providing tactilefeedback in response to detecting a particular state of the electronicdevice in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. Process 800may begin at step 802. At step 804, the electronic device may detect thecurrent status of electronic device resources. For example, theelectronic device may determine the current status of the battery, theprocessor, memory, or any other component of the electronic device. Asanother example, the electronic device may determine the currentcommunications network used for a communications operation, the durationof a communications operation, the amount of credit remaining for theuser to perform the communication operation, or any other suitablestatus of a communications operation. In some embodiments, process 800may instead or in addition review the status of an ongoingcommunications operation at step 812, described below.

At step 806, the electronic device may determine whether a detectedstatus is associated with tactile feedback. For example, the electronicdevice may compare the detected status of each electronic deviceresource or component with a known level (e.g., a floor or ceilingamount for the battery level), and determine whether the detected statusmatches, exceeds, or fails to reach the known level. If the electronicdevice determines that the detected status is not associated withtactile feedback, process 800 may move to step 810.

If, at step 806, the electronic device instead determines that thedetected status is associated with tactile feedback, process 800 maymove to step 808. At step 808, the electronic device may provide tactilefeedback associated with the detected status. For example, theelectronic device may identify the particular tactile feedbackassociated with the detected status of electronic device resources orcomponents (e.g., from a database of status/tactile feedbackassociations) and provide the identified tactile feedback. Process 800may then move to step 810.

At step 810, the electronic device may determine whether acommunications operation is received. For example, the electronic devicemay determine whether a request to perform a communications operationwas received (e.g., whether a telephone call was received). As anotherexample, the electronic device may determine whether a communicationsrequest is ongoing (e.g., whether the user is conducting a chat with acontact). If the electronic device determines that no communicationsoperation is received, process 800 may return to step 804 and continueto detect the status of the electronic device resources.

If, at step 810, the electronic device instead determines that acommunications operation is received, process 800 may move to step 812.At step 812, the electronic device may determine whether the receivedcommunications operation is associated with tactile feedback. Forexample, the electronic device may determine whether the type ofcommunications operation received is associated with tactile feedback.As another example, the electronic device may determine whether thecontact from whom the communications operation was received isassociated with tactile feedback. As still another example, theelectronic device may determine whether the current status of thecommunications operation (e.g., the duration of the communicationsoperation) is associated with tactile feedback.

If the electronic device determines that the communications operation isassociated with tactile feedback, process 800 may move to step 814. Atstep 814, the electronic device may provide tactile feedback associatedwith the received communications operation. For example, the electronicdevice may identify the particular tactile feedback associated with thecontact from whom a communications operation is received (e.g., from thecontact's profile information) and provide the identified tactilefeedback. Process 800 may then move back to step 804 and continue todetect the status of the electronic device resources. If, at step 812,the electronic device instead determines that the communicationsoperation is not associated with tactile feedback, process 800 may moveto step 816 and end.

In some embodiments, the electronic device may provide tactile feedbackto guide the user in providing inputs to the electronic device. The usermay provide inputs using any suitable approach. For example, the usermay provide inputs by touching a touch screen or touch pad of theelectronic device. As another example, the user may control the positionof one or more cursors or highlight regions on the display of theelectronic device. As still another example, the electronic device mayprovide an input using an input mechanism coupled to the electronicdevice (e.g., a keyboard and a mouse). Although the following (andprevious) discussion sometimes describes the inputs as being provided bya user touching a display (e.g., a capacitive touch screen), it will beunderstood that any other suitable approach may be used to provideinputs to the electronic device.

The electronic device may provide different types of feedback indifferent contexts based on the application accessed by the user, thecurrent mode or status of that application, the position of the user'shand on the electronic device, the user's particular input, or any othersuitable criteria. For example, the electronic device may providetactile feedback for a user providing inputs using a keyboard or keypad.FIGS. 9A and 9B are illustrative display screens for providing inputs toan electronic device in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.Display screen 900 may include keypad 910 having selectable keysassociated with numbers for providing number inputs to the electronicdevice. The numbers or characters associated with selected keys may bedisplayed in number portion 920. Similarly, display screen 950 mayinclude keyboard 960 having selectable keys associated with charactersfor providing textual inputs to the electronic device. The charactersassociated with selected keys may be displayed in preview window 970,and subsequently transferred to communications window 972 (e.g., inresponse to receiving a user selection of send option 986 for sendingthe textual message provided by the user).

To provide guidance to a user of keypad 910 or keyboard 960 (e.g., forvisually impaired users), the electronic device may provide tactilefeedback as the user's finger is placed over particular keys. Forexample, the electronic device may be operative to provide tactilefeedback (e.g., vibration) as the user's finger is placed over “5” key912 (e.g., akin to a knob in the “5” key of a physical keypad). Asanother example, the electronic device may be operative to providetactile feedback (e.g., vibration) as the user's finger is placed over“F” key 962 or “J” key 964 (e.g., akin to a knob in the “F” and “J” keysof a physical keyboard).

In some embodiments, the electronic device may further provide tactilefeedback when the user approaches other keys of keypad 910 or keyboard960. For example, the electronic device may provide tactile feedbackwhen the user's finger is placed over special keys. Suitable specialkeys may include any key operative to perform an application function(e.g., other than providing text entry). For example, the electronicdevice may provide tactile feedback in response to a user selection ofcall option 930 or back option 932 of keypad 910. As another example,the electronic device may provide tactile feedback in response to a userselection of a key or option that would cause the electronic device toremove the display of keypad 910 (e.g., one of telephone applicationoptions 934). As still another example, the electronic device mayprovide tactile feedback in response to a user selection of back option980, return option 982, character option 984, or send option 986 ofkeyboard 960.

The electronic device may provide the same or different tactile feedbackfor each of the keys of keypad 910 and keyboard 960. For example, theelectronic device may provide different tactile feedback for eachspecial key. In some embodiments, the tactile feedback for special keysperforming similar functions in different keyboards may be the same toincrease the user's familiarity with the electronic device (e.g., backoption 932 and back option 980 may have the same tactile feedback, orcall option 930 and send option 986 may have the same tactile feedback).As another example, the electronic device may provide different tactilefeedback to differentiate “F” key 962 and “J” key 964. As still anotherexample, the electronic device may provide simultaneous localizedtactile feedback to several keys to identify a particular key over whichthe user places his finger (e.g., provide tactile feedback under aspecial key and the nearest of the “F” and “J” keys to indicate to theuser the relative position of the special key on the keyboard).

In some embodiments, the electronic device may provide tactile feedbackto the user in response to detecting the user's finger over previewwindow 970. For example, the electronic device may provide tactilefeedback to indicate the placement of a cursor or marker in previewwindow 970. As another example, the electronic device may providetactile feedback for each line of text, word, or character entered inpreview window 970. By providing tactile feedback (e.g., the same orvarying) for each line, word or character, the electronic device mayprovide sensitivity and guidance for the user to provide accurate textentry at a desired location in preview window 970.

The electronic device may provide tactile feedback to the user using anysuitable approach. For example, the electronic device may providetactile feedback when the user removes his finger from the particularkey (e.g., to provide feedback that the key was selected). As anotherexample, the electronic device may progressively modify the tactilefeedback as the user approaches the key. For example, as the user movesa finger across keypad 910 towards “5” key 912, the electronic devicemay progressively increase (or decrease) the amplitude or frequency ofthe tactile feedback. If the user instead moves a finger away from “5”key 912, the electronic device may progressively decrease (or increase)the amplitude or frequency of the tactile feedback. When the tactilefeedback is vibration, the user may then feel softer vibration as theuser's finger approaches or is placed on the edge of a key, and strongervibration as the user's finger nears the center of the key. In someembodiments, the electronic device may remove the tactile feedback(e.g., the vibration) when the user's finger is located at the verycenter of the displayed key (e.g., like the eye of a storm) to avoidnumbing the user's finger.

In some embodiments, the electronic device may provide particularfeedback based on the status or mode of an application used. Forexample, the electronic device may provide tactile feedback when theuser selects a link or text input window of a display. As anotherexample, the electronic device may be operative to provide tactilefeedback as the user scrolls a page or a display. As still anotherexample, the electronic device may provide tactile feedback as the userzooms the display. FIG. 10 is a schematic view of an illustrativedisplay screen of a page in accordance with one embodiment of theinvention. Display 1000 may be any suitable application screen withwhich the user may interact to control application features. Forexample, display 1000 may include a web browser page. Display 1000 mayinclude several selectable options 1010, which may be operative toprovide access to other displays, other applications, initialize or endcommunications operations, or any other suitable operation. In theexample of display 1000, options 1010 may include hyperlinks or optionsfrom a menu (e.g., a drop-down menu).

In some embodiments, the electronic device may be operative to providetactile feedback as the user passes over or selects an option 1010. Forexample, the electronic device may be operative to provide tactilefeedback in response to receiving a user selection of a hyperlink. Theelectronic device may provide tactile feedback for some or all ofselectable options 1010 of display 1000. For example, the electronicdevice may only provide feedback for more prominent options 1010 (e.g.,options that take up a larger portion of the display, such as a buttoninstead of text). As another example, the electronic device may providefeedback for options that cause information provided by the user to besent to another device or server (e.g., a purchase option displayedafter entering credit card information). As still another example, theselectable options of the application may include tags or flags (e.g.,meta data) defined by the user or the programmer for identifying theparticular selectable options 1010 for which to provide tactilefeedback.

In some embodiments, the electronic device may provide tactile feedbackin response to detecting the user's finger over text box 1020 orreceiving a user selection of text box 1020 to demarcate the location oftext box 1020 on the screen. Text box 1020 may include any suitableoption or box in display 1000 in which the user may provide text. Forexample, text box 1020 may include search fields, internet web addressfields (e.g., in a web browser), comments fields, username and passwordfields, shipping information fields, payment information fields, or anyother suitable field in which the user may provide text. If the displayincludes several successive text boxes 1020 (e.g., successive fields forproviding a shipping address), the electronic device may initially onlyprovide tactile feedback for the first box, and then provide tactilefeedback for each successive box in turn as the user provides text tothe previous box. In response to receiving a user selection of a textbox 1020, the electronic device may display a keyboard or keypad forproviding text (e.g., keypad 910 of FIG. 9A or keyboard 960 of FIG. 9B).

In some embodiments, the electronic device may provide tactile feedbackto assist the user in performing scrolling operations. For example, theelectronic device may provide tactile feedback to mimic detents as theuser scrolls through entries in a list. As another example, tactilefeedback may be used to mimic a mechanical stop of illustrative display1000 of FIG. 10 when the display is scrolled in accordance with oneembodiment of the invention. Display 1100 may include some or all ofselectable options 1010 and text boxes 1020 of display 1000. As the userscrolls down display 1000, the electronic device may display portions ofthe page provided by the application (e.g., portions of the web page)that were not initially displayed in display 1000. To indicate to theuser that the end of the page has been reached, the electronic devicemay scroll the page beyond lower limit 1110 of the page and displaybackground 1112. In some embodiments, the electronic device may displayscroll bar 1120 to provide an indication of the amount of the pageprovided in display 1100 and the relative portion of the page that isdisplayed. For example, the user may compare scroll bar 1120 with scrollbar region 1122 to determine the relative amount of scroll bar region1122 taken by scroll bar 1120, and to determine the position of scrollbar 1120 in scroll bar region 1122. The electronic device may provideany suitable tactile feedback as the user reaches limit 1110 of thepage. For example, the electronic device may provide tactile feedback(e.g., in increasing intensity or frequency) as the user approacheslimit 1110. As another example, the electronic device may providetactile feedback (e.g., in increasing intensity or frequency) as theuser moves beyond limit 1110 (e.g., the more background 1112 isdisplayed, the stronger the tactile feedback).

In some embodiments, the electronic device may provide tactile feedbackwhen the user zooms a display. FIG. 12 is a schematic view ofillustrative display 1000 of FIG. 10 when the display is zoomed inaccordance with one embodiment of the invention. Display 1200 may be azoomed in display of the page in display 1000. For example, display 1200may include a more detailed view of a particular aspect of display 1000(e.g., a more detailed view of one or more images). The electronicdevice may provide any suitable tactile feedback as the user zooms thedisplay. For example, the electronic device may provide tactile feedback(e.g., in increasing amounts) as the user approaches a zoom-in orzoom-out limit of the electronic device (e.g., the limit after which theelectronic device can no longer render the display). As another example,the electronic device may provide tactile feedback to identify theparticular amount of zoom used by the user (e.g., different tactilefeedback for 50%, 75%, 100% and 200% zoom).

In some embodiments, the electronic device may provide tactile feedbackbased on the physical location of the electronic device. For example,the electronic device may provide tactile feedback based on the user'sdistance relative to a particular location. As another example, theelectronic device may provide tactile feedback to guide the user along aparticular path between two locations (e.g., provide tactile feedbackwhen the user follows or leaves the particular path).

The electronic device may determine the current position of theelectronic device using any suitable approach. In some embodiments, theelectronic device may include a location module. Although the locationmodule may be implemented in software, in some embodiments, the locationmodule may also be implemented in hardware, firmware, or any combinationof software, hardware, and firmware. For example, the location modulemay include an application process, thread, or subroutine configured tocompute the position, orientation, movement, or location of theelectronic device. The location of the electronic device may be derivedfrom any suitable trilateration or triangulation technique, in whichcase the location module may include a Global Position System (GPS)receiver, RF triangulation detector or sensor, or any other locationcircuitry configured to determine the geographic or physical location ofthe electronic device. The location module may also include theassociated applications to support the location circuitry. The locationmodule may also include one or more sensors or circuitry for detectingthe position, orientation, or movement of the electronic device. Suchsensors and circuitry may include, for example, single-axis ormulti-axis accelerometers, angular rate or inertial sensors (e.g.,optical gyroscopes, vibrating gyroscopes, gas rate gyroscopes, or ringgyroscopes), magnetometers (e.g., scalar or vector magnetometers), andlinear velocity sensors. For example, the processor may be configured toread data from one or more of the sensors or circuitry in the locationmodule in order to determine the orientation of the electronic deviceand its velocity. The derivation of the location of a communicationsdevice is described in more detail in pending U.S. Patent ApplicationPublication No. 2009/0170532, published Jul. 2, 2009, which isincorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

FIG. 13 is a schematic view of an illustrative display screen of amapping application in accordance with one embodiment. Display 1300 mayinclude map 1302 displayed by any suitable application. Map 1302 mayinclude streets, roads, traffic information, topography, symbols, or anyother suitable symbol, object or feature. In some embodiments, map 1302may include a schematic view, a satellite view, or a combination of thedisplayed geographic area. The user may direct map 1302 to display anysuitable information. For example, in response to a search for aparticular store or address, the electronic device may direct the map todisplay a marker or indicator for the particular store or addressidentified as a result of the search. The user may also provide theelectronic device with an initial location from which the map mayidentify a path for reaching the displayed marker or indicatorrepresenting the search result. In the example of FIG. 13, map 1302 mayinclude initial pin 1322 (e.g., the user's current location) and endingpin 1324 (e.g., the location of a search result), and path 1320connecting initial pin 1322 to ending pin 1324. Path 1320 may includeany suitable path, including a straight line path, a path that avoidsparticular geographic obstacles (e.g., avoids bodies of water,mountains, or particular changes in altitude), or a path that followsroads.

In some embodiments, the user may direct the map to display the currentlocation of the electronic device on the map. For example, theelectronic device may display marker 1330 indicating the user's currentposition on the map. Marker 1330 may include any suitable type ofmarker, including for example a marker that identifies the uncertaintyor variance of the user's position. For example, marker 1330 may includea circle or disc, where the radius of the circle or disc is selectedbased on the accuracy of the identified location (e.g., smaller circlefor GPS tracking, but larger circle for cellular tower triangulation).

FIG. 14 is a schematic view of an illustrative display screen of amapping application as a user follows a determined path in accordancewith one embodiment of the invention. Display 1400 may include map 1402,which may include some or all of the features of map 1302. In someembodiments, map 1402 may be zoomed with respect to map 1302. Map 1402may include initial pin 1422 (which may be the same as pin 1322), endingpin 1424 (which may be the same as pin 1324), and path 1420 connectingpins 1422 and 1424 (which may be the same path as path 1320). As theuser moves (with the electronic device), the position of marker 1430 maychange in map 1402 to reflect the current position of the electronicdevice.

To guide the user to a particular destination (e.g., ending pin 1424),the electronic device may provide tactile feedback based on the user'slocation. In some embodiments, the electronic device may provide tactilefeedback to guide the user along a particular path. For example, if path1420 is displayed, the electronic device may provide tactile feedbackwhen the user moves away from path 1420. The type of tactile feedbackprovided (e.g., the strength of the feedback) may be selected based onone or more of the distance from the path and the direction from thepath of the electronic device (e.g., stronger feedback if the user isfar from the recommended path, or leaves the path in a direction leadingfarther away from the destination). Alternatively, or in addition, theelectronic device may provide tactile feedback when the user moves alongpath 1420 (e.g., increasing the level or type of feedback as the userapproaches the destination). For example, the electronic device mayprovide heat-based feedback by which the temperature of the feedbackincreases as the user approaches the destination.

In some embodiments, the electronic device may provide tactile feedbackbased on a user's distance from one or more destinations (e.g.,different search results). For example, the electronic device mayprovide different tactile feedback associated with each search result.As the user approaches a destination associated with a particular searchresult, the electronic device may provide the tactile feedbackassociated with the particular search result (e.g., vibrate with aparticular frequency). The strength or amplitude of the feedback may berelated to the distance from the search result (e.g., strongerparticular tactile feedback as the user approaches the location of theparticular search result).

The electronic device may be operative to provide tactile feedback inany other suitable context. In some embodiments, the user may definesituations or contexts in which the electronic device may providetactile feedback. For example, the electronic device may provide theuser with the opportunity to tag or flag situations or contexts forwhich tactile feedback should be provided. The user may also be giventhe opportunity to select which particular tactile feedback to providefor each tagged situation (e.g., using a display such as display 600,FIG. 6).

FIG. 15 is a flowchart of an illustrative process for providing tactilefeedback in response to receiving a user input in accordance with oneembodiment of the invention. Process 1500 may begin at step 1502. Atstep 1504, the electronic device may display selectable options. Forexample, the electronic device may display a plurality of selectablekeys. As another example, the electronic device may display a menu withselectable items. As still another example, the electronic device maydisplay hyperlinks or other selectable options available from a webpage. At step 1506, the electronic device may detect a user's finger onthe screen. For example, a touch screen of the electronic device maydetect the user's finger on the display. In some embodiments, otherapproaches may be used to provide inputs to the electronic device.

At step 1508, the electronic device may determine whether the locationof the finger is associated with a particular selectable option. Forexample, the electronic device may determine whether the user's fingeris placed abutting a selectable option (e.g., on the edge of a displayedbutton). As another example, the electronic device may determine whetherthe user's finger is placed directly on an option or field (e.g., atext-entry field). If the electronic device determines that the locationof the user's finger is associated with a particular option, process1500 may move to step 1510. At step 1510, the electronic device mayprovide tactile feedback associated with the particular displayedoption. For example, the electronic device may identify thecharacteristics of the tactile feedback associated with the particularoption, and provide tactile feedback using the identifiedcharacteristics. If no tactile feedback is associated with theparticular displayed option, process 1500 may skip step 1510 and move tothe following step. Process 1500 may then return to step 1506 and detectthe current position of the user's finger on the screen.

If, at step 1508, the electronic device instead determines that thelocation of the user's finger is not associated with a particularoption, process 1500 may move to step 1512. At step 1512, the electronicdevice may determine whether the location of the finger is associatedwith tactile feedback. For example, the electronic device may determinewhether the user's finger is located in a region adjacent a selectableoption (e.g., a small distance away from a selectable option). Asanother example, the electronic device may determine whether the user'sfinger is located in a region associated with zooming or scrolling thedisplay. If the electronic device determines that the location of thefinger is not associated with tactile feedback, process 1500 may move tostep 1514 and end.

If, at step 1512, the electronic device instead determines that thelocation of the finger is associated with tactile feedback, process 1500may move to step 1516. At step 1516, the electronic device may providetactile feedback associated with the particular location. For example,the electronic device may provide tactile feedback of increasingintensity to guide the user to a selectable option. As another example,the electronic device may provide tactile feedback indicating the amountthe display was scrolled, or a limit to scrolling or zooming thedisplay. Process 1500 may then return to step 1506 and detect thecurrent position of the user's finger on the screen.

The above described embodiments of the present invention are presentedfor purposes of illustration and not of limitation, and the presentinvention is limited only by the claims which follow.

We claim:
 1. An electronic device, comprising: at least onenon-transitory storage medium; and at least one processing unit thatexecutes instructions stored in the at least one non-transitory storagemedium to: identify a current status of an ongoing communicationsoperation between the electronic device and at least one otherelectronic device other than that the communications operation isongoing; and provide a tactile feedback associated with the identifiedstatus.
 2. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the tactilefeedback is a first tactile feedback when the ongoing communicationsoperation is of a first type and a second tactile feedback when thecommunications operations is of a second type.
 3. The electronic deviceof claim 2, wherein the first type is data communications and the secondtype is voice communications.
 4. The electronic device of claim 2,wherein the first tactile feedback and second tactile feedback aredifferent types of tactile feedback.
 5. The electronic device of claim2, wherein the first tactile feedback and the second tactile feedbackare specified by at least one user.
 6. The electronic device of claim 1,wherein the tactile feedback comprises at least one of a vibration, atemperature, or an electrical charge.
 7. The electronic device of claim1, wherein the tactile feedback is a first tactile feedback when thecurrent status is a first status and a second tactile feedback when thecurrent status is a second status.
 8. The electronic device of claim 7,wherein the first status is a first duration and the second status is asecond duration.
 9. The electronic device of claim 7, wherein the firststatus is a first threshold of a monitored parameter and the secondstatus is a second threshold of the monitored parameter.
 10. Theelectronic device of claim 1, wherein the tactile feedback is a firsttactile feedback when the ongoing communications operation is with afirst user and a second tactile feedback when the communicationsoperations is with a second user.
 11. The electronic device of claim 1,wherein at least one characteristic of the tactile feedback is definedbased on received user input.
 12. The electronic device of claim 1,wherein the current status comprises at least one of: a current durationof the ongoing communications operation; a particular duration reachedin the ongoing communications operation; a cost of the ongoingcommunications operation to a user; access of a secure website by theongoing communications operation; leaving of the secure website by theongoing communications operation; or a current status of at least oneresource of the electronic device.
 13. The electronic device of claim 1,wherein the current status comprises at least one of: changing theongoing communications operation from a roaming mode to a non-roamingmode; changing the ongoing communications operation from the non-roamingmode to the roaming mode; an amount of data communicated by the ongoingcommunications operation; the amount of data received by the ongoingcommunications operation; or changing the ongoing communicationsoperation from a first communications network to a second communicationsnetwork.
 14. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the ongoingcommunications operation comprises at least one of receiving data,transmitting data, or performing a voice call.
 15. The electronic deviceof claim 1, wherein the electronic device provides at least oneadditional tactile feedback in response to at least one conditiondetected by at least one motion sensor or environmental sensor.
 16. Theelectronic device of claim 1, wherein the electronic device comprises atleast one of a media player, a smart phone, a tablet computer, a mobilecomputer, or a laptop.
 17. The electronic device of claim 1, furthercomprising at least one communication component utilized to perform theongoing communications operation.
 18. The electronic device of claim 1,further comprising at least one haptic device utilized to provide thetactile feedback.
 19. A method of providing notifications related to acommunications operation, comprising: identifying a current status of anongoing communications operation between an electronic device and atleast one other electronic device other than that the communicationsoperation is ongoing utilizing the electronic device; and providing atactile feedback associated with the identified status utilizing theelectronic device.
 20. A computer program product, comprising: a firstset of instructions, stored in at least one non-transitory storagemedium, executable by at least one processing unit to identify a currentstatus of an ongoing communications operation between an electronicdevice and at least one other electronic device other than that thecommunications operation is ongoing; and a second set of instructions,stored in the at least one non-transitory storage medium, executable bythe at least one processing unit to provide a tactile feedbackassociated with the identified status utilizing the electronic device.